Browsing the "Column" Category

The caliber of a chef's sushi has more to do with passion and expertise than race or ethnicity. Photo courtesy: Pixabay
In 2013, a Seattle sushi restaurant, Mashiko, posted an open letter on its website saying that people who criticize the restaurant for having non-Japanese employees are bigots.
“Stop...

It might take more than a few businesses like Tsujiri Matcha Cafe to make a true downtown Japan Town. Photo by: Scott Kawaguchi
Over the last few years, the intersection has seen an explosion of Japanese businesses from sushi restaurants to the city's only maid cafe, which was featured in our previous...

As a Japan English Teacher you can be sent anywhere in the country from northern Hokkaido to even a small island off of the coast. Moving there can be stressful, but preparation helps immensely. Photo courtesy: Pixabay
With a little less than two months before I depart from my home to travel to a new one in Japan, so...

Chuck Terada, left, was an infielder with the Vancouver Asahi in the 1940s. Fark Shiraishi, centre, Kaye Kaminishi, right. Photo courtesy: NNM
Seeing Chuck in the Asahi uniform brought back special memories to me because he was a Kitsilanoite as were Asahi icons Roy Yamamura, Reg Yasui and Bob (Yasui)...

Checking someone online is a normal part of research for interviews, so there's good cause to take using social media on your computer seriously.
Athletes depend on reflexes when they compete. Thought blends in with muscle memory so that action and reaction are almost instantaneous. This is good...

Q-Tips are for ear care, but should not be put into your ear canal. Photo courtesy: Pixabay
In Asia, these ear spoons, as they are also called, are traditionally made from bamboo and in the modern era out of plastic or stainless steel.
Currently use of ear picks to remove wax is discouraged by some...

Harry Henning was a Staff Sergeant in the Toronto Police Service and a teacher of the Kodokan Judo in Eastern Canada who inspired his students. Photo courtesy: Brad Henning
That occurred in early November at a funeral home in Mississauga. Then on November 28, there was a second such event with no religious...

Japanese Americans and Muslim Americans march in solidarity for unity between all Americans in the face of tragedy and fear. Photo by: Gil Asakawa
Two nights after attending the show and while we were still in New York, the Paris attacks happened. The next day, we had scheduled a visit to the 9/11...

Tom Takashima died in November last year. He was 93 years old. Photo courtesy: Terence Takahashi
Tom’s celebration was held at a funeral home in nearby Mississauga. Although a church minister chaired the program, there were no prayers or hymns. Instead the program opened with Tom’s three grownup...

Bowling teams limber up for a round at the Nisei West End Bowling League. Photo by: Matthew O'Mara
For instance, at our West End Nisei 5-Pin Bowling League, there are others older than me who bowl better, too. At the Wynford Seniors Club, several active members are older than 93. What’s more,...